Anti-SOX10 Antibody Systems and Methods

ABSTRACT

The present invention is related to the anti-SOX10 antibodies, kits, cocktails, and use of anti-SOX10 antibodies for detection of cancer.

This application is an International PCT Patent Application claiming priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/886,488 filed Oct. 3, 2013 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/941,907 filed Feb. 19, 2014, each application hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to the novel anti-SOX10 antibodies, compositions, cocktails, and kits comprising the antibodies and methods for using the antibodies.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Microscopic examination of tissue samples, particularly those obtained by biopsy, is a common method for diagnosis of disease. In particular, immunohistochemistry (IHC), a technique in which specific antibodies are used to detect expression of specific proteins in the tissue sample, may be a valuable tool for diagnosis, particularly for the detection and diagnosis of cancer.

The Sry-related HMG-Box gene 10, perhaps located at chromosome 22q13, may encode a protein known as SOX 10, which is perhaps a transcription factor in humans that may be important for neural crest, peripheral nervous system, and melanocytic cell development. SOX10 may be essential for the formation of nerves in the large intestine and melanocytes. Melanocytes are perhaps cells that produce pigment, found in the skin, eyes, and hair. The SOX10 protein may be widely expressed in human normal tissues including melanocytes, breast tissue, cranial ganglia, dorsal root ganglia, and the optic vesicle. SOX10 may perhaps also be an important marker in malignant tumors such as melanoma, breast carcinoma, gliomas, and the like, as well as benign tumors such as schwannomas, and the like. The transcriptional factor SOX10 may be one of the key determinants of oligodendroglial differentiation. The majority of oligodendrogliomas, but also a large fraction of astrocytomas, including the least differentiated glioblastomas, perhaps express SOX10.

Desmoplastic melanoma may be a rare variant of invasive cutaneous melanoma, with an annual incidence rate of perhaps approximately 2 per 1,000,000. Features unique to this melanoma type may include deep invasion, increased peri-neural invasion, local recurrence and perhaps delayed diagnosis. Studies may have shown that SOX10 is a highly sensitive and specific marker of melanoma in both primary and metastatic lesions. On the basis of the expression in melanocytes of non-neoplastic and benign skin, and in benign and dysplastic nevi, SOX10 may not be a useful marker to differentiate between benign and malignant pigmented skin lesions.

Desmoplastic melanoma (DM) may present diagnostic challenges perhaps due to similarity of histologic mimics and even perhaps limited immunohistochemical staining. In one study, SOX10 may have shown 100% sensitivity for DM and perhaps SOX10 was negative in all histologic mimics of the dermis/subcutis, including spindle cell carcinoma, AFX and sarcomas. Although anti-S100 antibodies may typically stain DM, other melanoma markers (e.g. HMB-45 and Melan-A) are perhaps often negative.

Traditionally, melanoma markers such as 5100, HMB45, MART-1 (perhaps also known as Melan-A), and Tyrosinase may have been used in a panel of antibodies to identify melanoma. Anti-S100 antibody may have been used as a screener for melanoma, and perhaps may have been a more sensitive marker compared to other melanoma markers; however, S100 may have a disadvantage of suboptimal specificity as it may stain both lymph nodes and brain, which are common sites of metastatic melanoma and its mimics. HMB45, MART-1 and Tyrosinase may perhaps be more specific than 5100 protein; however, this panel of antibodies may be negative in desmoplastic melanoma and spindle cell melanoma and thus perhaps lack sensitivity.

An antibody cocktail of MART-1 and Tyrosinase, may have been shown to be a very sensitive marker of metastatic melanomas and perhaps even comparable to S100 protein (about 98% versus about 100%, respectively). However, S100 may have still been more sensitive for desmoplastic melanoma and spindle cell melanoma. The potential benefit of combining SOX10, with its sensitivity for melanoma, including desmoplastic melanoma and spindle cell melanoma, and one or more melanoma markers, perhaps even those that are not sensitive for desmoplatic melanoma or spindle cell melanoma, including perhaps MART-1 and Tyrosinase, may not be known. Such a combination may provide a superior marker for melanoma.

SOX10 may also be a neural crest transcription factor crucial for specification, maturation, and maintenance of Schwann cells and melanocytes. SOX10 may also be diffusely expressed in schwannomas and neurofibromas. Despite perhaps a well-characterized lack of specificity, pathologists may routinely employ S100 in the diagnosis of neural crest-derived tumors. Recent studies have shown that perhaps SOX10 is a reliable marker of neural crest differentiation that may be consistently expressed in schwannian and melanocytic tumors, perhaps offering advantages over S100.

SOX10 expression may be observed in myoepithelial breast cells in normal breast glands. SOX10 may have been demonstrated in basal-like, unclassified triple-negative, and in metaplastic carcinoma breast cancer types; and perhaps supports the concept that these neoplasms may show myoepithelial differentiation. In lung cancers, sustentacular cells may be found in approximately half of pulmonary carcinoid tumors. A SOX10 antibody was used to investigate perhaps 113 pulmonary cases that we not elsewhere classified (NEC). Sustentacular cells may have been observed in perhaps 66.7% of typical carcinoid (TC) and even perhaps 58.3% of atypical carcinoid (AC) cases, but may not have been observed in high-grade NECs.

SOX10 may show an increased specificity for tumors of neural crest origin, when perhaps compared with 5100. In one study, SOX10 may have been positive in perhaps only 5 of 668 cases (99% specificity) in non-schwannian, non-melanocytic tumors, whereas S100 may have been positive in perhaps 53 of 668 cases (91% specificity). Therefore, SOX10 may be useful in place of, or perhaps in combination with 5100, for soft tissue tumor diagnosis.

To date, most published studies may have used a goat polyclonal SOX10 for immunohistochemical (IHC) methods. Polyclonal goat antibodies may not be generally preferred for use in IHC methods, as monoclonal antibodies may be preferred, even perhaps mouse or rabbit antibodies may be preferred. Particularly for the IHC methods used in clinical diagnosis, monoclonal antibodies may be preferred, perhaps even mouse or rabbit antibodies are preferred. A clear need may exist for a marker to differentiate spindle cell and desmoplastic melanoma from other tumors and its mimics and perhaps extensive efforts to date may not have yielded such a marker. A SOX10 monoclonal antibody, would perhaps be highly valuable in the clinical setting for diagnosis.

Therefore, a clear need exists for a sensitive and even specific anti-SOX10 antibody for use in cancer diagnosis. Embodiments of the present invention provide an anti-SOX10 mouse monoclonal antibody [clone BC34] which may be highly sensitive and may even be highly specific. An example of the present invention provides a mouse monoclonal anti-SOX10 antibody that may detect the presence or absence of SOX10 protein in certain cancers, including but not limited to melanoma, spindle cell melanoma, desmoplastic melanoma, nevi, schwannomas, breast cancer, rhabdomyosarcoma, leiomyosarcoma or the like. An example of the present invention may have demonstrated excellent sensitivity for melanoma (about 105/109, about 9%) with perhaps even excellent specificity versus other normal, benign and malignant tissues. When compared to the known rabbit polyclonal (RP) anti-SOX10 antibody, the mouse monoclonal anti-SOX10 BC34 may have typically demonstrated greater sensitivity, and perhaps greater specificity, with cleaner staining patterns, perhaps with fewer artifacts, and perhaps without staining many carcinoids, while even offering the advantages of a monoclonal antibody. BC34 also may not stain some specimens, which may have been stained by the RP anti-SOX10 antibody, perhaps indicating the superior specificity of BC34 over alternatives. Therefore, a monoclonal anti-SOX10 antibody, such as BC34, may be preferred for diagnosis, compared to alternative antibodies, including alternative anti-SOX10 antibodies.

The development of an anti-SOX10 antibody may aid in the diagnosis of primary and even metastatic cancers, particularly melanoma, spindle cell melanoma, desmoplastic melanoma, nevi, schwannomas, breast cancer, rhabdomyosarcoma, leiomyosarcoma or the like. Anti-SOX10 antibodies such as mouse monoclonal anti-SOX10 antibody [BC34], with perhaps equal or superior staining sensitivity, and perhaps even superior staining specificity such as compared to alternative anti-SOX10 antibodies, including the RP anti-SOX10 antibody, have been provided in the present invention.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

General embodiments of the present invention may include monoclonal antibodies for recognizing SOX10, methods for their preparation, use in immunohistochemistry, or the like. In embodiments, anti-SOX10 antibody clones such as the anti-SOX10 antibody clone BC34 can be obtained by immunizing Balb/C mice with one or more proteins corresponding to a subset of amino acids 147-253 of the human SOX10 protein. The SOX10 protein may be injected into the BALB/c mice, with an adjuvant, via intraperitoneal injections, perhaps about 5 times at about three week intervals. The immune reactivity to SOX10 may be assessed by direct ELISA on recombinant SOX10 protein. Mice with the highest titer may be chosen for developing hybridomas by cell fusion. A hybridoma clone demonstrating the best reactivity to SOX10 on human tissues may be chosen and may be designated as BC34. The BC34 clone may be tested for isotype and may be identified as a mouse IgG1. The BC34 antibody may be produced by large scale tissue culture of the hybridoma cells and by ascites in BALB/c mice. The supernatant and antibody ascites may be collected and the antibody may be purified by Protein A affinity column. BC34 may demonstrate specific reactivity to human SOX10 protein by ELISA, Western blotting, and even human tissues.

Anti-SOX10 antibodies such as the mouse monoclonal anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 may be useful for the detection of SOX10 in tissue samples, perhaps with several significant, but unexpected advantages over currently known antibodies to SOX10. Biological samples may be tested and may include, but are not limited to, skin tissue, lung tissue, bladder tissue, breast tissue, prostate tissue, normal tissue, neoplastic tissue, bladder tissue, kidney tissue, ovarian tissue, thyroid tissue, endometrial tissue, renal tissue, tonsil tissue, pancreas tissue, colon tissue, lymph node tissue, neoplastic pancreatic tissue, stomach tissue, prostate tissue, lung tissue, breast tissue, and the like. When used in traditional immunohistochemistry procedures, anti-SOX10 antibodies such as the mouse anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 may result in nuclear staining of SOX10 with sensitivity similar or perhaps superior to that of known anti-SOX10 antibodies, which may offer significant improvements. Additionally, anti-SOX10 antibodies such as BC34 may exhibit increased specificity, perhaps as compared to other known anti-SOX10 antibodies, which may offer significant improvements. In addition to the possible advantages of being derived from a monoclonal source, anti-SOX10 antibodies such as BC34 may also offer cleaner staining, with fewer artifacts, and greater cell-type specificity, for example perhaps not staining carcinoids, when compared to other known anti-SOX10 antibodies. With anti-SOX10 antibodies such as BC34, analysis of the sample may be simplified and SOX10 expression in tumor cells may be readily identifiable, allowing diagnosis in cases that may otherwise be difficult, ambiguous, or not even possible, to diagnose.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a color version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 (brown) staining a case of melanoma of the chest wall (10× magnification).

FIG. 2 shows a color version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 (brown) staining a case of melanoma of the scalp (20× magnification).

FIG. 3 shows a color version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 (brown) staining a case of melanoma of the shoulder (10× magnification). Reduced staining, or perhaps and absence of staining may be observed in this sample.

FIG. 4 shows a color version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 (brown) staining a case of metastatic melanoma in a lymph node (20× magnification).

FIG. 5 shows a color version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 (red) staining a case of balloon cell melanoma (10× magnification).

FIG. 6 shows a color version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 (red) staining a case of epithelioid melananoma (10× magnification).

FIG. 7 shows a color version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 (brown) staining a case of peripheral nerve tumor (20× magnification).

FIG. 8 shows a color version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 (red) staining a case of perivascular melanoma (10× magnification).

FIG. 9 shows a color version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 (red) staining a case of perivascular melanoma (20× magnification).

FIG. 10 shows a color version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 (red) staining a case of rhabdoid melanoma (10× magnification).

FIG. 11 shows a color version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 (red) staining a case of sarcomatoid melanoma (10× magnification).

FIG. 12 shows a color version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 (red) staining a case of plasmacytoid melanoma (10× magnification).

FIG. 13 shows a color version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 (brown) staining a case of compound nevus of skin (20× magnification).

FIG. 14 shows a color version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 (brown) staining a case of intradermal nevus of the cheek (20× magnification).

FIG. 15 shows a color version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 (brown) staining a case of junctional nevus of skin (20× magnification).

FIG. 16 shows a color version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 (brown) staining a case of schwannoma (10× magnification).

FIG. 17 shows a color version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 (brown) staining argentaffin cells in normal colon (20× magnification).

FIG. 18 shows a color version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 (brown) staining normal brain neurons (20× magnification).

FIG. 19 shows a color version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 (brown) staining a myoepithelial cells in normal breast glands (20× magnification).

FIG. 20 shows a color version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 (brown) staining normal skin (20× magnification).

FIG. 21 shows a color version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 (brown) staining normal salivary gland (20× magnification).

FIG. 22 shows a color version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 (brown) staining breast tissue, perhaps breast cancer.

FIG. 23 shows a color version of an example of RP anti-SOX10 antibody (brown) staining the same breast specimen of FIG. 22. Staining may be less intense that that observed with BC34 in FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 shows a color version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 (brown) staining lung tissue, perhaps lung adenocarcinoma. Staining may be reduced, or perhaps absent, particularly when compared to FIG. 25.

FIG. 25 shows a color version of an example of RP anti-SOX10 antibody (brown) staining the same lung specimen of FIG. 24. Cytoplasmic staining may be observed in this sample, in contrast to the nuclear staining expected for SOX10.

FIG. 26 shows a color version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 (brown) staining melanoma. Staining may perhaps be more intense than that observed in FIG. 27.

FIG. 27 shows a color version of an example of RP anti-SOX10 antibody (brown) staining the same melanoma specimen of FIG. 26. Staining may be less intense that that observed with BC34 in FIG. 26.

FIG. 28 shows a color version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 (brown) staining melanoma. Staining may perhaps be more intense than that observed in FIG. 29.

FIG. 29 shows a color version of an example of RP anti-SOX10 antibody (brown) staining the same breast specimen of FIG. 28. Staining may be reduced, or perhaps absent, compared that that observed with BC34 in FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 shows a color version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 (brown) staining melanoma. Staining may perhaps be more intense than that observed in FIG. 31.

FIG. 31 shows a color version of an example of RP anti-SOX10 antibody (brown) staining the same breast specimen of FIG. 30. Staining may be reduced, or perhaps absent, compared that that observed with BC34 in FIG. 30.

FIG. 32 shows a color version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 (brown) staining normal bladder. Staining may be reduced, or perhaps absent, particularly when compared to FIG. 33.

FIG. 33 shows a color version of an example of RP anti-SOX10 antibody (brown) staining the same bladder specimen of FIG. 32. Cytoplasmic staining may be observed in this sample, in contrast to the nuclear staining expected for SOX10.

FIG. 34 shows a color version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 (brown) staining intestinal carcinoids (20× magnification).

FIG. 35 shows a color version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 (brown) staining a case of alveolus rhabdomyosarcoma (20× magnification).

FIG. 36 shows a color version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 (brown) staining a case of astrocytoma (10× magnification).

FIG. 37 shows a color version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 (brown) staining a case of breast cancer (20× magnification).

FIG. 38 shows a color version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 (brown) staining a case of intermediate grade II leiomyosarcoma (10× magnification).

FIG. 39 shows a color version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 (brown) staining a case of desmoplastic melanoma (10× magnification).

FIG. 40 shows a color version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 (brown) staining a case of desmoplastic melanoma (20× magnification).

FIG. 41 shows a color version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 (brown) staining a case of benign schwannoma (10× magnification).

FIG. 42 shows a color version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 (brown) staining a case of spindle cell melanoma (20× magnification).

FIG. 43 shows a color version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 (brown) staining a case of spindle cell melanoma (10× magnification).

FIG. 44 shows a color version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 (brown) staining a case of spindle cell melanoma (20× magnification).

FIG. 45 shows a color version of an example of an antibody cocktail of Tyrosinase+MART-1 (red) staining a case of melanoma.

FIG. 46 shows a color version of an example of SOX10 [BC34] (red) staining the same case of melanoma shown in FIG. 45.

FIG. 47 shows a color version of a first example of an antibody cocktail of SOX10+Tyrosinase+MART-1 (red) staining cases of melanoma.

FIG. 48 shows a color version of a second example of an antibody cocktail of SOX10+Tyrosinase+MART-1 (red) staining cases of melanoma.

FIG. 49 shows a color version of an example of BC34 (red) staining a case of melanoma.

FIG. 50 shows a color version of the same case of melanoma shown in FIG. 49 stained with a cocktail of Tyrosinase+MART-1 (red). Perhaps reduced staining or no staining may be present, although pigmented melanocytes may be observed.

FIG. 51 shows a color version of an example of a cocktail of Tyrosinase+MART-1 (red) staining a case of melanoma.

FIG. 52 shows a color version of the same case of melanoma shown in FIG. 51 stained with BC34 (red). Perhaps reduced staining or no staining may be present.

FIG. 53 shows a color version of an example of SOX10 [BC34]+Tyrosinase+MART-1 (red) staining a case of melanoma.

FIG. 54 shows a color version of the same case of melanoma shown in FIG. 49 stained with S100 (red). Perhaps reduced staining or no staining may be present.

FIG. 55 shows a color version of an example of lymph node stained with an antibody cocktail of SOX10 [BC34]+Tyrosinase+MART-1 (red). Perhaps reduced staining or no staining may be present.

FIG. 56 shows a color version of an example of brain stained with an antibody cocktail of SOX10 [BC34]+Tyrosinase+MART-1 (red). Perhaps reduced staining or no staining may be present.

FIG. 57 shows a color version of an example of bone marrow stained with an antibody cocktail of SOX10 [BC34]+Tyrosinase+MART-1 (red). Perhaps reduced staining or no staining may be present.

FIG. 58 shows a color version of an example of staining with S100 (red) in the same case of lymph node as shown in FIG. 55.

FIG. 59 shows a color version of an example of staining with S100 (red) in the same case of brain as shown in FIG. 56.

FIG. 60 shows a color version of an example of staining with S100 (red) in the same case of bone marrow as shown in FIG. 57.

FIG. 61 shows an example of a schematic summary of a kit in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 62 shows an example of a schematic summary of an immunoassay method in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 63 shows a black and white version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 staining a case of melanoma of the chest wall (10× magnification).

FIG. 64 shows a black and white version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 staining a case of melanoma of the scalp (20× magnification).

FIG. 65 shows a black and white version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 staining a case of melanoma of the shoulder (10× magnification). Reduced staining, or perhaps and absence of staining may be observed in this sample.

FIG. 66 shows a black and white version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 staining a case of metastatic melanoma in a lymph node (20× magnification).

FIG. 67 shows a black and white version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 staining a case of balloon cell melanoma (10× magnification).

FIG. 68 shows a black and white version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 staining a case of epithelioid melananoma (10× magnification).

FIG. 69 shows a black and white version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 staining a case of peripheral nerve tumor (20× magnification).

FIG. 70 shows a black and white version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 staining a case of perivascular melanoma (10× magnification).

FIG. 71 shows a black and white version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 staining a case of perivascular melanoma (20× magnification).

FIG. 72 shows a black and white version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 staining a case of rhabdoid melanoma (10× magnification).

FIG. 73 shows a black and white version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 staining a case of sarcomatoid melanoma (10× magnification).

FIG. 74 shows a black and white version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 staining a case of plasmacytoid melanoma (10× magnification).

FIG. 75 shows a black and white version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 staining a case of compound nevus of skin (20× magnification).

FIG. 76 shows a black and white version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 staining a case of intradermal nevus of the cheek (20× magnification).

FIG. 77 shows a black and white version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 staining a case of junctional nevus of skin (20× magnification).

FIG. 78 shows a black and white version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 staining a case of schwannoma (10× magnification).

FIG. 79 shows a black and white version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 staining argentaffin cells in normal colon (20× magnification).

FIG. 80 shows a black and white version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 staining normal brain neurons (20× magnification).

FIG. 81 shows a black and white version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 staining a myoepithelial cells in normal breast glands (20× magnification).

FIG. 82 shows a black and white version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 staining normal skin (20× magnification).

FIG. 83 shows a black and white version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 staining normal salivary gland (20× magnification).

FIG. 84 shows a black and white version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 staining breast tissue, perhaps breast cancer.

FIG. 85 shows a black and white version of an example of RP anti-SOX10 antibody staining the same breast specimen of FIG. 84. Staining may be less intense that that observed with BC34 in FIG. 84.

FIG. 86 shows a black and white version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 staining lung tissue, perhaps lung adenocarcinoma. Staining may be reduced, or perhaps absent, particularly when compared to FIG. 87.

FIG. 87 shows a black and white version of an example of RP anti-SOX10 antibody staining the same lung specimen of FIG. 86. Cytoplasmic staining may be observed in this sample, in contrast to the nuclear staining expected for SOX10.

FIG. 88 shows a black and white version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 staining melanoma. Staining may perhaps be more intense than that observed in FIG. 89.

FIG. 89 shows a black and white version of an example of RP anti-SOX10 antibody staining the same melanoma specimen of FIG. 88. Staining may be less intense that that observed with BC34 in FIG. 88.

FIG. 90 shows a black and white version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 staining melanoma. Staining may perhaps be more intense than that observed in FIG. 91.

FIG. 91 shows a black and white version of an example of RP anti-SOX10 antibody staining the same breast specimen of FIG. 90. Staining may be reduced, or perhaps absent, compared that that observed with BC34 in FIG. 90.

FIG. 92 shows a black and white version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 staining melanoma. Staining may perhaps be more intense than that observed in FIG. 93.

FIG. 93 shows a black and white version of an example of RP anti-SOX10 antibody staining the same breast specimen of FIG. 92. Staining may be reduced, or perhaps absent, compared that that observed with BC34 in FIG. 92.

FIG. 94 shows a black and white version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 staining normal bladder. Staining may be reduced, or perhaps absent, particularly when compared to FIG. 95.

FIG. 95 shows a black and white version of an example of RP anti-SOX10 antibody staining the same bladder specimen of FIG. 94. Cytoplasmic staining may be observed in this sample, in contrast to the nuclear staining expected for SOX10.

FIG. 96 shows a black and white version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 staining intestinal carcinoids (20× magnification).

FIG. 97 shows a black and white version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 staining a case of alveolus rhabdomyosarcoma (20× magnification).

FIG. 98 shows a black and white version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 staining a case of astrocytoma (10× magnification).

FIG. 99 shows a black and white version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 staining a case of breast cancer (20× magnification).

FIG. 100 shows a black and white version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 staining a case of intermediate grade II leiomyosarcoma (10× magnification).

FIG. 101 shows a black and white version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 staining a case of desmoplastic melanoma (10× magnification).

FIG. 102 shows a black and white version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 staining a case of desmoplastic melanoma (20× magnification).

FIG. 103 shows a black and white version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 staining a case of benign schwannoma (10× magnification).

FIG. 104 shows a black and white version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 staining a case of spindle cell melanoma (20× magnification).

FIG. 105 shows a black and white version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 staining a case of spindle cell melanoma (10× magnification).

FIG. 106 shows a black and white version of an example of anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 staining a case of spindle cell melanoma (20× magnification).

FIG. 107 shows a black and white version of an example of an antibody cocktail of Tyrosinase+MART-1 staining a case of melanoma.

FIG. 108 shows a black and white version of an example of SOX10 [BC34] staining the same case of melanoma shown in FIG. 39A.

FIG. 109 shows a black and white version of a first example of an antibody cocktail of SOX10+Tyrosinase+MART-1 staining cases of melanoma.

FIG. 110 shows a black and white version of a second example of an antibody cocktail of SOX10+Tyrosinase+MART-1 staining cases of melanoma.

FIG. 111 shows a color version of an example of BC34 staining a case of melanoma.

FIG. 112 shows a black and white version of the same case of melanoma shown in FIG. 111 stained with a cocktail of Tyrosinase+MART-1. Perhaps reduced staining or no staining may be present, although pigmented melanocytes may be observed.

FIG. 113 shows a black and white version of an example of a cocktail of Tyrosinase+MART-1 staining a case of melanoma.

FIG. 114 shows a black and white version of the same case of melanoma shown in FIG. 113 stained with BC34. Perhaps reduced staining or no staining may be present.

FIG. 115 shows a black and white version of an example of SOX10 [BC34]+Tyrosinase+MART-1 staining a case of melanoma.

FIG. 116 shows a black and white version of the same case of melanoma shown in FIG. 40A stained with S100. Perhaps reduced staining or no staining may be present.

FIG. 117 shows a black and white version of an example of lymph node stained with an antibody cocktail of SOX10 [BC34]+Tyrosinase+MART-1. Perhaps reduced staining or no staining may be present.

FIG. 118 shows a black and white version of an example of brain stained with an antibody cocktail of SOX10 [BC34]+Tyrosinase+MART-1. Perhaps reduced staining or no staining may be present.

FIG. 119 shows a black and white version of an example of bone marrow stained with an antibody cocktail of SOX10 [BC34]+Tyrosinase+MART-1. Perhaps reduced staining or no staining may be present.

FIG. 120 shows a black and white version of an example of staining with S100 in the same case of lymph node as shown in FIG. 117.

FIG. 121 shows a black and white version of an example of staining with S100 in the same case of brain as shown in FIG. 118.

FIG. 122 shows a black and white version of an example of staining with S100 in the same case of bone marrow as shown in FIG. 119.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As may be understood from the earlier discussion, the present invention includes a variety of aspects, which may be combined in different ways. The following descriptions are provided to list elements and describe some of the embodiments of the present invention. These elements are listed with initial embodiments, however it should be understood that they may be combined in any manner and in any number to create additional embodiments. The variously described examples and preferred embodiments should not be construed to limit the present invention to only the explicitly described systems, techniques, and applications. Further, this description should be understood to support and encompass descriptions and claims of all the various embodiments, systems, techniques, methods, devices, and applications with any number of the disclosed elements, with each element alone, and also with any and all various permutations and combinations of all elements in this or any subsequent application.

Embodiments of the present invention may provide monoclonal antibodies and methods thereof that specifically bind to SOX10 and may be used for the detection of SOX10 in the diagnosis for several types of cancers. The monoclonal antibody may be an antibody fragment, a mouse monoclonal antibody, a rabbit monoclonal antibody, a chimeric antibody, a humanized monoclonal antibody, a human monoclonal antibody, an antibody labeled with a detectable signal or stain, an antibody labeled with a toxin, or the like. The monoclonal antibody may be a chimeric antibody comprised of the variable region from one host species and the constant region from a different species, perhaps the variable region derived from a mouse monoclonal antibody known to bind SOX10 and the constant region from a rabbit IgG antibody. Systems and methods of the present invention may relate to the monoclonal antibody or its antigen binding portion capable of binding to SOX10.

Mouse monoclonal antibodies may be commonly used in immunoassay methods to identify specific analytes, including as primary antibodies in immunohistochemistry procedures. Mouse monoclonal antibodies specific for the protein target of interest can be produced using generally known procedures. Generally, exposing a mouse to the antigen of interest (e.g. a peptide fragment of the desired target or the full-length protein target) may induce an immune response in which the mouse generates multiple antibodies that bind the antigen, each of which may be produced by a particular B-cell. These B-cells may be isolated from the mouse spleen and the antibodies produced may be evaluated for their suitability as primary antibodies in IHC. After selecting the optimal antibody, the associated B-cell may be fused with a tumor cell using known procedures, perhaps resulting in a hybridoma, a new cell line that can endlessly replicate and may continuously produce the desired antibody.

Monoclonal antibodies may be preferred in certain embodiments over polyclonal antibodies for several reasons. In particular, monoclonal antibodies may be derived from a single B-cell and as such may recognize a single epitope, perhaps resulting in greater specificity. Monoclonal antibodies may also be conveniently and reproducibly generated in cell culture, perhaps resulting in a constant supply of the desired antibody. Of course, polyclonal antibodies may be utilized in other embodiments.

Anti-SOX10 antibodies such as a mouse monoclonal anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 may be produced using these general procedures and may be evaluated by immunohistochemistry for sensitivity and specificity on a variety of normal and neoplastic tissues, perhaps particularly in comparison to the previously known RP anti-SOX10 antibody.

Example of SOX10 Protein Expression:

A SOX10 recombinant protein from amino acid sequence 147 to 253 may be cloned and expressed from E. coli. Briefly, SOX10 cDNA may be cloned and purified. The SOX10 cDNA may be digested by restriction enzymes and ligated into the pET30a-GST vector. BL21 cells may be transformed with the construct. The colonies expressing the correct size of recombinant protein may be selected and sequenced. A further scale up production may be performed by culturing the E. coli in LB media containing about 0.5 mM IPTG. The final SOX10 recombinant protein may be purified and analyzed by SDS-PAGE.

Example of Host Immunization:

Female BALB/c (about 6 to about 8 weeks old) mice may be immunized intraperitoneally (i.p.) with about 100 μg human SOX10 protein per mouse in complete Freund's adjuvant. About three weeks later, the mice may be boosted with another about 100 μg human SOX10 per mouse in incomplete Freund's adjuvant about 4 more times in about 3 week intervals. Mice may be bled from the tails, and sera may be collected and stored at about −20° C. for later analysis of antibody titers by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Example of Hybridomas:

Hybridoma producing antibodies to SOX10 may be generated by standard techniques from splenocytes of SOX10-immunized BALB/c mice. For example, splenocytes from SOX10-immunized mice may be fused to P3-X63-Ag 8.653 myeloma cells (non-secreting myeloma derived from SP2/0 Balb/c myeloma cells) by incubation with about 50% polyethylene glycol at a ratio of about 4:1. Following incubation, cells may be pelleted by centrifugation perhaps at about 300×g for about 10 minutes, washed in about 25 ml of PBS, recentrifuged, and the cell pellet may be resuspended in about 100 ml of fresh Dulbecco's Medium containing about 20% fetal bovine serum (Hyclone, Logan, Utah). Aliquots of about 100 μl can be added to each well of ten 96-well microtiter plates (Corning, Lowell, Mass.). About twenty four hours later, about 100 μl DMEM culture medium supplemented with about 1M hypoxanthine (HT), about 4 mM aminopterin and about 160 mM thymidine (HAT) can be added to each microtiter well. Media may be replaced perhaps after about 4 days with complete media (perhaps containing HAT and HT). Over the following about 10 days, media may be removed and replaced with fresh media with reduced or perhaps even no HAT and HT added. Hybridoma supernatants may be screened by ELISA for antibody reactivity to SOX10, and hybridoma clones may then be selected and stabilized perhaps by cloning twice by limiting dilution.

Hybridoma cells referred to as Anti-human SOX10 hybridoma clone BC34 have been deposited with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) Patent Depository in Manassas, Va. on Feb. 11, 2014 and have received ATCC Patent Deposit Designation No. PTA-120969 as shown in the attached exhibit entitled, “Budapest Restricted Certificate of Deposit” hereby incorporated by reference herein. Embodiments of the present invention may provide an antibody or fragment thereof produced by the hybridoma deposited at the ATCC and may even include a method for producing a monoclonal antibody by culturing the hybridoma cell that produces the monoclonal antibody capable of specifically recognizing SOX10 and even allowing the hybridoma to produce monoclonal antibodies.

ELISA:

Host anti-sera immune responses to SOX10 may be measured by ELISA. For example, a solution of SOX10 (about 1 μg/ml) in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) may be used to coat about 96-well flat bottom polystyrene plates. The plates may then be blocked with about 1% bovine serum albumin (BSA)-PBS. Either diluted immune sera or hybridoma supernatants may be added and incubated at about 37° C. for about 1 hour. After washing the plates with PBS, the plates may be incubated with goat anti-mouse-HRP reagents (Jackson Labs). Incubations may be done at about 37° C. for about 30 minutes. ABTS substrate may be added to develop color and the absorbance at about 405 nm (A405) may be measured in a microtiter plate reader.

Isotype of Monoclonal Antibodies:

Anti-SOX10 antibodies such as the BC34 monoclonal antibody may be isotyped using a mouse monoclonal antibody isotyping kit (Invitrogen, Carlsbad Calif.). For example, about 100 μl of supernatant from mouse monoclonal antibody [BC34] cells may be added to the plate coated goat anti mouse IgG1, IgG2A, IgG2B, IgG3, IgM, and IgA. After about 30 minutes incubation, the plate may be washed about 3 times with PBS and may be incubated with goat anti mouse Ig-HRP reagent. ABTS substrate may be added to develop color and the absorbance at about 405 nm (A405) may be measured in a microtiter plate reader. The BC34 clone may be tested for isotype and may be identified as a mouse IgG1/kappa.

Antibody Production and Purification:

The selected hybridoma cells from clone BC34 may be cultured with DMEM culture medium supplemented with about 10% FBS or any serum-free medium. The culture supernatants may be further purified by protein A affinity column. The hybridoma cells may also be injected into pristane-primed BALB/c mice to produce antibody ascites. The antibody ascites may be further purified by protein A affinity column. IgG concentration may be measured spectrophotometrically using the extinction coefficient for mouse IgG of about 1.4 at about 280 nm. The purity of IgG may be determined by SDS-PAGE.

Western Blotting:

The purified monoclonal antibody [BC34] may be characterized by Western Blotting. Full-length SOX10 transfected cell lysates (Origene, Rockville, Md.) may be subjected to protein gel electrophoresis using about 4 to about 12% SDS-PAGE with Tris-glycine buffer and may be transferred onto nitrocellulose filters in Tris-glycine buffer. Proteins on the blots may be visualized by incubating BC34 antibody for about 60 minutes in room temperature after blocking with blocking buffer, perhaps followed by incubating with peroxidase-conjugated goat anti-mouse immunoglobulins. The blots may be detected using TMB chromogen.

Determination of VH and VL Sequences:

Total RNA may be extracted from hybridomas using Qiagen kit (USA, Gaithersburg, Md.) as per the manufacturer's instructions. Total RNA from hybridoma cells was reverse transcribed in a final volume of 20 μl containing 6 μM random primer mix (New England Biolabs Ipswich, Mass.), 0.5 mM each nucleotide dNTP Mix (Life Technologies, Grand Island, N.Y.), 5 mM DTT (Invitrogen), 40U RNaseOUT™Recombinant RNase Inhibitor, and 200U Superscript III reverse transcriptase (Life Technologies, Grand Island, N.Y.). Reverse transcription (RT) reactions were performed at 42° C. for 5 min, 25° C. for 10 min, 50° C. for 60 min and 94° C. for 5 min. Mouse Igh and Igk variable regions were amplified independently by two rounds of nested PCR starting from 1 μl of cDNA as template. All PCR reactions were performed in a total volume of 20 μl containing 200 nM each primer or total primer mix (Table 1), 300 μM each dNTP (Life Technologies, Grand Island, N.Y.) and 0.1 ul of Taq DNA polymerase (Life Technologies, Grand Island, N.Y.). The first round of PCR was performed at 94° C. for 15 min followed by 30 cycles of 94° C. for 30 s, 56° C. (Igh) or 50° C. (Igk) for 30 s, 72° C. for 55 s, and final incubation at 72° C. for 10 min. Nested second round PCR was performed with 1 μl of unpurified first round PCR product at 94° C. for 15 min followed by 30 cycles of 94° C. for 30 s, 60° C. (Igh) or 45° C. (Igk) for 30 s, 72° C. for 45 s, and final incubation at 72° C. for 10 min. PCR products were analyzed on 2% agarose gels and cut and purified using QIAquick PCR Purification Kit (QIAGEN, Valencia, Calif.). The purified PCR products were cloned by TOPO TA Cloning System (Life Technologies, Grand Island, N.Y.). The 8 colonies were randomly selected and screened by colony PCR with M13 forward and reverse primers. PCR products were purified using QIAquick PCR Purification Kit (QIAGEN, Valencia, Calif.) and sequenced using T3 promoter sequencing primer and analysis. IMGT (the International ImMuno-GeneTics)/V-QUEST database was applied to analyze the VH and VL sequences and determine complementary determining regions (CDRs) (Table 2). (http://www.imgt.org/IMGT_vquest/share/textes/)

TABLE 1 Primer name 5′-3′ sequence Igh 1st PCR 5′ MsVHE GGGAATTCGAGGTGCAGCTGCAGGAGTCTGG 3′ Cγ1 outer GGAAGGTGTGCACACCGCTGGAC 3′ Cγ2c outer GGAAGGTGTGCACACCACTGGAC 3′ Cγ2b outer GGAAGGTGTGCACACTGCTGGAC 3′ Cγ3 outer AGACTGTGCGCACACCGCTGGAC Igh 2nd PCR 5′ MsVHE GGGAATTCGAGGTGCAGCTGCAGGAGTCTGG 3′ Cγ1 inner GCT CAG GGA AAT AGC CCT TGA C 3′ Cγ2c inner GCT CAG GGA AAT AAC CCT TGA C 3′ Cγ2b inner ACT CAG GGA AGT AGC CCT TGA C 3′ Cγ3 inner GCT CAG GGA AGT AGC CTT TGA C Igk 1st PCR 5′ L-Vκ_3 TGC TGC TGC TCT GGG TTC CAG 5′ L-Vκ_4 ATT WTC AGC TTC CTG CTA ATC 5′ L-Vκ_5 TTT TGC TTT TCT GGA TTY CAG 5′ L-Vκ_6 TCG TGT TKC TST GGT TGT CTG 5′ L-Vκ_6,8,9 ATG GAA TCA CAG RCY CWG GT 5′ L-Vκ_14 TCT TGT TGC TCT GGT TYC CAG 5′ L-Vκ_19 CAG TTC CTG GGG CTC TTG TTG TTC 5′ L-Vκ_20 CTC ACT AGC TCT TCT CCT C 3′ mCκ GAT GGT GGG AAG ATG GAT ACA GTT Igk 2nd PCR 5′mVkappa GAYATTGTGMTSACMCARWCTMCA 3′ P-mJK01 CGT TTG ATT TCC AGC TTG GTG 3′ P-mJK02 CGT TTT ATT TCC AGC TTG GTC 3′ P-mJK03 CGT TTT ATT TCC AAC TTT GTC 3′ P-mJK04 CGT TTC AGC TCC AGC TTG GTC

TABLE 2 VH, CDR1: GFSLSTFLIG SEQ ID NO. 6 VH, CDR2: IWWNDNK SEQ ID NO. 7 VH, CDR3: VRMAGIGGTDAMDY SEQ ID NO. 8 VL, CDR1: EIVEYYGTNL SEQ ID NO. 9 VL, CDR2: AAS SEQ ID NO. 10 VL, CDR3: QQSRKVPWT SEQ ID NO. 11

BC34 variable domains were sequenced to provide isolated polynucleotides that comprise nucleic acid sequences encoding the amino acid sequences of one or more of the CDRs of the light and/or heavy chain variable regions of a monoclonal antibody described herein that binds to the SOX10 epitope QGGTAAIQAHYKSAH identified as SEQ ID NO: 3. The sequence of the variable region of the heavy chain is identified as SEQ ID NO: 1 and the sequence of the variable region of the light chain is identified as SEQ ID NO: 2. The amino acid sequence of the variable region of the heavy chain is identified as SEQ ID NO: 4 and the amino acid sequence of the variable region of the light chain is identified as SEQ ID NO: 5. An antibody or fragment thereof may include a polypeptide which may include the amino acid sequence encoded by the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 and/or SEQ ID NO: 2. An antibody or fragment thereof may include a polypeptide of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4 and/or SEQ ID NO: 5. An antibody or fragment thereof may include a light chain variable region having an amino acid sequence encoded by the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 and may even include a heavy chain variable region having an amino acid sequence encoded by a nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1. An antibody or fragment thereof may include a light chain variable region having an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5 and may even include a heavy chain variable region having an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4. An antibody or fragment thereof may specifically bind to at least one polypeptide of an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3. As mentioned herein, a fragment thereof may include an antigen binding fragment thereof.

In embodiments, an antibody or fragment thereof, or even an isolated and purified nucleic acid sequence may have an amino acid sequence of at least about 70% identical to an amino acid sequence encoded by a nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 and/or SEQ ID NO: 2 and/or the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3. In embodiments, an antibody or fragment thereof may have an amino acid sequence of at least about 70% identical to an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4 and/or SEQ ID NO: 5 and/or the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3. An antibody or fragment thereof may specifically bind to at least one polypeptide with an amino acid sequence that is at least about 70% identical to residues of SEQ ID NO: 3. Other percentages may include, but are not limited to, at least about 71%, at least about 72%, at least about 73%, at least about 74%, at least about 75%, at least about 76%, at least about 77%, at least about 78%, at least about 79%, at least about 80%, at least about 81%, at least about 82%, at least about 83%, at least about 84%, at least about 85%, at least about 86%, at least about 87%, at least about 88%, at least about 89%, at least about 90%, at least about 91%, at least about 92%, at least about 93%, at least about 94%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, and perhaps even at least about 99%, about 70%, about 71%, about 72%, about 73%, about 74%, about 75%, about 76%, about 77%, about 78%, about 79%, about 80%, about 81%, about 82%, about 83%, about 84%, about 85%, about 86%, about 87%, about 88%, about 89%, about 90%, about 91%, about 92%, about 93%, about 94%, about 95%, about 96%, about 97%, about 98%, about 99%, or the like.

In other embodiments, an antibody or fragment thereof may include a polypeptide of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and/or 11 and any combination thereof. An antibody or fragment thereof may include a light chain variable region having an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 9, 10, and/or 11 or any combination thereof and may even include a heavy chain variable region having an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6, 7, and/or 8 or any combination thereof.

In reference to Table 2 and SEQ ID NOS. 6-11, an antibody or fragment thereof may have an amino acid sequence of perhaps at least about 2% up to at least about 26% identical to an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4 and/or SEQ ID NO: 5. Other percentages may include, but are not limited to, at least about 2%, at least about 2.7%, at least about 3%, at least about 4%, at least about 5%, at least about 5.7%, at least about 6%, at least about 7%, at least about 8%, at least about 8.1%, at least about 9%, at least about 10%, at least about 10.8%, at least about 11%, at least about 11.4%, at least about 11.7%, at least about 12%, at least about 13%, at least about 13.9%, at least about 14%, at least about 15%, at least about 16%, at least about 17%, at least about 17.1%, at least about 17.2%, at least about 18%, at least about 19%, at least about 19.6%, at least about 19.8%, at least about 20%, at least about 21%, at least about 22%, at least about 23%, at least about 24%, at least about 25%, at least about 25.4%, at least about 26%, at least about 30%; between about 2% and about 70%, about 2%, about 2.7%, about 3%, about 4%, about 5%, about 5.7%, about 6%, about 7%, about 8%, about 8.1%, about 9%, about 10%, about 10.8%, about 11%, about 11.4%, about 11.7%, about 12%, about 13%, about 13.9%, about 14%, about 15%, about 16%, about 17%, about 17.1%, about 17.2%, about 18%, about 19%, about 19.6%, about 19.8%, about 20%, about 21%, about 22%, about 23%, about 24%, about 25%, about 25.4%, about 26%, about 30%, or the like.

Epitope Mapping of the Mouse Anti-SOX10 [BC34] Binding Sequence:

In order to determine the peptide sequence of SOX10 that is recognized by anti-SOX10 antibodies such as BC34, epitope mapping may be conducted perhaps using two assays: direct ELISA and even dot blot. In an ELISA assay, the sensitivity and specificity of the anti-SOX10 [BC34] antibody may be determined by measuring the antibody titer at about 1:500 and about 1:1000. Overlapping peptides at a length of about 15 amino acids each, covering the human SOX10 protein sequence from perhaps 147 to 253 amino acids, may be used to determine a sequence of BC34 binding.

The epitope for BC34 was shown to be included in the residues 196-211 amino acids of SOX10, which is QGGTAAIQAHYKSAH identified as SEQ ID NO: 3. The epitope of the mouse monoclonal SOX10 antibody, or a portion thereof, may be a useful antigen for the production of new monoclonal antibodies, including production in species other than mouse (e.g. rabbit, goat, horse, chicken, etc.). Of course, a polyclonal antibody may specifically bind to an epitope in SEQ ID NO: 3, which relates to residues 196-211 of the SOX10 protein.

For direct ELISA protocol, the plates may be first coated with about 100 μl of SOX10 peptides at about 5 m/mL in coating buffer (pH about 9.5) overnight at about 4° C., followed by blocking (about 3% BSA) at about 200 μl/well for about 1 hour at room temperature. The plates may be incubated with purified SOX10 antibody at about 100 ng/mL and about 200 ng/mL separately for about 1 hour at about room temperature on an ELISA-plate shaker. Then the plates may be washed perhaps five times with PBST (about 300 μl/well) followed by the addition of goat anti-mouse IgG-HRP to the plates and incubation for about 1 hour on a plate-shaker. The plates may then be washed with PBST (about 300 μl/well) and blotted to dry, and TMB may be added at about 100 μl/well, developed for about 5 min on a shaker, and may even be followed by a stop solution (about 50 μl/well). Absorbance may be measured at about 450 nm on an ELISA plate reader perhaps according to the manufacturer's recommendation.

For the dot blot assay, a nitrocellulose membrane may be blotted with about 1 μl at a concentration of about 1 mg/ml the peptide, quadruplicates per peptide. This membrane may be incubated for about 1 hour at room temperature until it may be completely dry. The membrane may be blocked with about 3% BSA in TBST (e.g., about 50 mM Tris, about 0.5 M NaCl, about 0.05% Tween-20, pH about 7.4) for about 1 hour at room temperature, then mouse anti SOX10 antibody [BC34] may be added at about 200 ng/ml for about 1 hr at RT in TBST. Then the membrane may be washed for about 3 times (about 10 minutes each) in TBST on an orbital shaker, followed by incubating with secondary antibody goat anti mouse IgG1-AP for about 1 hour at room temperature in TBST. The membrane may be washed perhaps about 3 times (about 10 minutes each) in TBST on a rocker. The binding may be detected by adding Western Glo Chemiluminescent detection reagents and exposing to film.

IHC Method with Anti-SOX10 BC34:

Immunohistochemistry using anti-SOX10 antibodies such as the mouse monoclonal anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 may be performed on formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue samples using procedures generally known to those in the art, as generally exemplified by the following non-limiting examples (e.g., washes with Tris-buffered saline, pH about 7.6, between steps):

-   1) Sections (˜5 m) of formalin fixed paraffin-embedded tissues may     be mounted on commercially available microscope slides perhaps     coated with polylysine. -   2) Sections may be deparaffinized (using xylenes or a     xylene-substitute) and may be rehydrated perhaps through a series of     alcohol/water solutions, perhaps followed by blocking of endogenous     peroxidases perhaps with about 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. -   3) Samples may be subjected to heat-induced antigen retrieval using     a citrate buffer in a pressure cooker (Diva, Decloaking Chamber;     Biocare Medical) and may be heated to about 125° C. for about 30     seconds. [Other antigen retrieval methods known to those skilled in     the art (e.g., steamer, microwave oven, enzyme, or the like) may     also be acceptable.] Tissues may be allowed to cool for about 10     minutes and then may be rinsed with deionized water. -   4) A protein blocking solution (Background Punisher, Biocare     Medical) may be applied to the tissue for about 10 minutes. -   5) The SOX10 antibody BC34 may be applied in a tris-buffered     solution (pH about 6.2) with bovine serum albumin as carrier protein     for about 30 minutes. The SOX10 antibody BC34 may be diluted perhaps     1:10,000. -   6) Detection of the SOX10 antibody perhaps with a horseradish     peroxidase (HRP) conjugated secondary antibody (MACH 2 Mouse     HRP-Polymer Detection, Biocare Medical) may be accomplished by     application of goat anti-mouse-HRP conjugate for about 30 minutes.     In another example, detection of the SOX10 antibody perhaps with a     horseradish peroxidase (HRP) conjugated secondary antibody (MACH 4     Universal HRP-Polymer Detection, Biocare Medical) may be     accomplished in two steps. An initial application of a rabbit     anti-mouse IgG antibody for about 10 minutes may be followed by     incubation with a goat anti-rabbit-HRP conjugate for about 10     minutes. -   7) In perhaps a final detection step, 3,3′-diaminobenzidine (DAB) in     buffer perhaps containing about 0.02% hydrogen peroxide (Betazoid     DAB, Biocare Medical) may be applied. The oxidation of DAB through     an HRP-mediated mechanism may result in precipitation of a brown,     chromogenic product, perhaps allowing identification of sites of     SOX10 expression. -   8) Slides may be briefly counterstained perhaps in a modified     Mayer's hematoxylin.

IHC Method with Anti-SOX10 BC34 Using Alkaline Phosphatase Detection and Fast Red Chromogen:

IHC using BC34 may also be performed as described above, using an alkaline phosphatase (AP) conjugated secondary antibody and a Fast Red chromogen. For example, detection of the SOX10 antibody perhaps with an AP conjugated secondary antibody (MACH 2 Mouse AP-Polymer Detection, Biocare Medical) may be accomplished by application of goat anti-mouse-AP conjugate for about 30 minutes. In perhaps a final detection step, a naphthol phosphate salt (e.g. naphthol phosphate AS-TR) and a diazonium salt (e.g. Fast Red KL) in buffer (Vulcan Fast Red, Biocare Medical) may be applied. The cleavage of the phosphate by alkaline phosphatase, followed by reaction of the resulting naphthol with the diazonium salt may result in precipitation of a red, chromogenic product, perhaps allowing identification of sites of SOX10 expression.

IHC Method with SOX10 Antibody BC34, Tyrosinase Antibody T311, and MART-1 Antibodies M2-7C10 and M2-9E3:

IHC may be performed as described above using a primary antibody cocktail perhaps comprised of SOX 10 [BC34], Tyrosinase antibody [T311], and perhaps even MART-1 antibodies [M2-7C10] and [M2-9E3]. Detection of each antibody may be accomplished with a horseradish peroxidase (HRP) conjugated secondary antibody (MACH 4 Universal HRP-Polymer Detection, Biocare Medical) perhaps in two steps. An initial application of a rabbit anti-mouse IgG antibody for about 10 minutes may be followed by incubation with a goat anti-rabbit-HRP conjugate for about 10 minutes, followed by visualization with DAB.

Results of IHC Staining with Mouse Monoclonal Anti-SOX10 Antibody BC34:

Using the above protocol, a variety of normal and neoplastic tissues were evaluated for SOX10 expression using BC34 and in some cases compared to staining patterns using a RP anti-SOX10 antibody. All antibodies were optimized for titer (e.g., concentration) using methods well known to those in the art. For example, various antibody titers were evaluated to maximize staining intensity, perhaps while minimizing or even eliminating background staining. For each antibody, the titer that provided the maximum staining intensity, perhaps with the minimal background staining, was used.

Staining with BC34 may be observed in various cases of melanoma, as shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 63-65. In fact, melanoma metastatic to the lymph node may also be identified by BC34 (FIGS. 4 and 66). In some cases, particularly cases of melanoma, where endogenous pigments of melanocytes may be present, staining with a red chromogen may be advantageous. BC34 may stain cases of balloon cell melanoma (FIGS. 5 and 67), epithelioid melanoma (FIGS. 6 and 68), perivascular melanoma (FIGS. 8-9 and 70-71), rhabdoid melanoma (FIGS. 10 and 72), sarcomatoid melanoma (FIGS. 11 and 73), and plasmacytoid melanoma (FIGS. 12 and 74).

Staining with BC34 may also be observed in peripheral nerve tumors (FIGS. 7 and 69), as well as cases of nevus (FIGS. 13-15 and 75-77). Schwannomas may also stain with BC34 (FIGS. 16 and 78).

In normal tissues, Argentaffin cells in normal colon, normal brain neurons, myoepothelial cells of breast glands, normal skin, and normal salivary glands may stain with BC34 (FIGS. 17-21 and 79-83).

Staining with BC34 may be superior to that of the RP anti-SOX10 antibody, particularly in cases where BC34 exhibits greater sensitivity, or perhaps increased staining intensity, as well as cases where BC34 is perhaps more specific. For example, BC34 may exhibit more intense staining in cases of breast cancer (FIGS. 22 and 84), compared to the RP anti-SOX10 antibody (FIGS. 23 and 85).

In lung adenocarcinoma, BC34 may demonstrate improved specificity compared to the RP anti-SOX10 antibody. For example, staining with BC34 may be reduced, or perhaps absent (FIGS. 24 and 86), in cases where the RP anti-SOX10 antibody produces cystoplasmic staining, which would not be consistent with SOX10 expression (FIGS. 25 and 87).

Cases of melanoma may also demonstrate more intense staining with BC34 (FIGS. 26, 28, 30, 88, 90, and 92), compared to that of the RP anti-SOX10 antibody on the same specimens, where staining may be reduced, or perhaps even absent, when using the RP anti-SOX10 antibody (FIGS. 27, 29, 31, 89, 91, 93).

In normal bladder, BC34 may demonstrate improved specificity compared to the RP anti-SOX10 antibody. For example, staining with BC34 may be reduced, or perhaps absent (FIGS. 32 and 94), in cases where the RP anti-SOX10 antibody produces cystoplasmic staining, which would not be consistent with SOX10 expression (FIGS. 33 and 95).

BC34 may also stain other neoplastic tissues, including perhaps intestinal carcinoids (FIGS. 34 and 96), alveolus rhabdomyosarcoma (FIGS. 35 and 97), astrocytoma (FIGS. 36 and 98), breast cancer (FIGS. 37 and 99), leiomyosarcoma (FIGS. 38 and 100). BC34 may also stain benign schwannoma (FIGS. 41 and 103).

Staining with BC34 may also be observed in desmoplastic melanomas (FIGS. 33-34) and spindle cell melanomas (FIGS. 42-44 and 104-106).

Melanoma may also be stained by Tyrosinase and MART-1, including a cocktail of Tyrosinase+MART-1 (FIGS. 45 and 107). BC34 may also stain the same cases of melanoma (FIGS. 46 and 108). A cocktail of SOX10 [BC34]+Tyrosinase+MART-1 may stain melanoma (FIGS. 47, 48, 109, 110) and perhaps be more sensitive than S100 alone, or Tyrosinase+MART-1 alone (Table 4). In cases such as that shown in FIGS. 48 and 110, SOX10 and Tyrosinase+MART-1 may stain different areas of the tumor, which may be identified by the nuclear staining of SOX10 and the cytoplasmic staining of Tyrosinase+MART-1. Differential staining in a tumor may perhaps indicate the presence of more than one clone in the tumor.

Some cases of melanoma may stain with BC34 (FIGS. 49 and 111), but perhaps not with Tyrosinase+MART-1 (FIGS. 50 and 112). Other cases of melanoma may stain with Tyrosinase+MART-1 (FIGS. 51 and 113), but perhaps not with BC34 (FIGS. 52 and 114).

The cocktail of SOX10 [BC34]+Tyrosinase+MART-1 may stain cases of melanoma that are perhaps not stained with S100 (FIGS. 53, 54, 115 and 116). In this way, the cocktail of SOX10 [BC34]+Tyrosinase+MART-1 may be more sensitive than S100.

The cocktail of SOX10 [BC34]+Tyrosinase+MART-1 may also be more specific than 5100. SOX10 [BC34]+Tyrosinase+MART-1 does not stain lymph node, brain, or bone marrow (FIGS. 55-57 and 117-119). One disadvantage of 5100 is staining observed in tissues other than melanoma, including normal lymph node, brain, and bone marrow (FIGS. 58-60 and 120-122). Lymph node, brain and bone marrow may be common site for melanoma metastasis. Staining of 5100 in these normal tissues may make diagnosis difficult, particularly when a pathologist is attempting to identify a small metastasis, or perhaps even result in an incorrect diagnosis.

Anti-SOX10 antibody [BC34] was evaluated by IHC on a variety of normal and neoplastic tissues. Typically, a cut-off of ≧about 5% of tumor cells staining was employed as the criteria to determine a case as “positive” for SOX10, and conversely <about 5% of tumor cells staining as the criteria to determine a case “negative.”

In normal tissues (n=34), BC34 stained skin melanocytes, myoepithelial cells in breast and salivary gland, peripheral nerves, and brain (Table 3). BC34 also stained argentaffin cells throughout the digestive tract. BC34 stained 200/219 (91.3%) melanomas (Table 4). Notably, 23/24 (95.8%) spindle cell and desmoplastic melanomas were positive for SOX10. In addition, there was 100% staining for schwannomas and nevi.

In neoplasms tested (n=587), SOX10 was expressed in 18/109 (16.5%) infiltrating ductal breast cancers, and in none of the following (n=426) other carcinomas, including lung, colon, prostate, bladder, kidney, liver, esophagus, ovary, thyroid, adrenal, and testicular seminoma (Table 5). SOX10 was positive in 2/21 rhabdomyosarocomas, in 1/21 of leiomyosarcomas, and in 35% of CNS gliomas. Carcinoid tumors in the digestive tract and in the lung were all negative, except for staining of sustentacular cells.

In melanomas, a cocktail of SOX10, Tyrosinase and MART-1 may be more sensitive than SOX10 alone, 5100 alone, or even the cocktail of Tyrosinase+MART-1 (Table 6). Staining of Tyrosinase and MART-1 may be cytoplasmic (FIG. 39A) and staining of SOX10 may be nuclear (FIGS. 46 and 108). The cocktail of SOX10+Tyrosinase+MART-1 may show a combination of nuclear staining (SOX10) and cytoplasmic staining (MART-1 and Tyrosinase) (FIGS. 47, 48, 109, 110). In some cases, SOX10 may be positive and Tyrosinase+MART-1 may be negative (FIGS. 49, 50, 111, and 112), or vice versa (FIGS. 51, 52, 113, and 114). The cocktail of SOX10+Tyrosinase+MART-1 may be positive in cases where S100 is negative (FIGS. 53, 54, 115, 116). One case was found to be perhaps positive for 5100 and negative for SOX10+Tyrosinase+MART-1. SOX10 [BC34] may also be negative in lymph node, brain and bone marrow (FIGS. 55-57 and 117-119), whereas 5100 may stain these tissues (FIGS. 58-60 and 120-122).

TABLE 3 Normal Tissues Types (n = 34) Organ SOX10 (+) Organ SOX10 (+) Cerebrum + Stomach* − Cerebellum + Small intestine* − Adrenal − Colon* − Ovary − Liver − Pancreas* − Salivary gland + Thyroid − Kidney − Parathyroid* − Prostate − Testis − Uterus − Bone − Uterine cervix − Spleen − Striated muscle − Tonsil − Skin + Thymus − Nerve (peripheral) + Bone marrow − Lung − Lung − Larynx − Cardiac − Bladder − Esophagus − Placenta − Pituitary − Mesothelium − *A few argentaffin cells throughout the digestive tract and/or a few/sparse neuroendocrine type cells were stained for SOX10.

TABLE 4 Melanoma Melanoma Cases SOX10 (+) % (+) Melanoma (skin) 109 105 96 Metastatic Melanoma 86 72 83.7 Spindle cell melanoma 9 9 100 Desmoplastic melanoma 13 12 92.3 Desmoplastic/Spindle cell mixed features 2 2 100 Epithelioid melanoma 2 2 100 Sarcomatoid melanoma 2 2 100 Plasmacytoid melanoma 2 2 100 Balloon cell melanoma 2 2 100 Rhabdoid melanoma 1 1 100 Schwannoma (neurilemmoma) 28 28 100 Nevus 20 20 100

TABLE 5 Various Neoplastic Tissues (n = 587) Cancers # of Cases SOX10 + % (+) Lung 178  0 0 Colon 24 0 0 Breast 109  18  16.5 Prostate 13 0 0 Bladder 48 0 0 Kidney 15 0 0 Liver 57 0 0 Esophagus 10 0 0 Seminoma 17 0 0 Ovarian 12 0 0 Adrenal gland 10 0 0 Thyroid (papillary)  4 0 0 Leiomyosarcoma 21 2 9.5 Rhabdomyosarcoma 21 1 4.8 Brain  29* 51  57 Pancreas 14 0 14 Lymphoma  5 0 0 Carcinoids  8  0** 0 Cervix 11 0 0 *SOX10 was expressed primarily in astrocytoma (24/39), and in limited cases of glioblastoma, medulloblastoma, and malignant ependymoma. **(≦1%)

TABLE 6 Comparison of SOX10, S100, Tyrosinase + MART-1, and Tyrosinase + MART-1 + SOX10 Melanoma Positive Cases/Total Cases Antibody or Antibody Cocktail (% positive) S100 60/80 (75%) SOX10 64/80 (80%) Tyrosinase + MART-1 71/80 (89%) SOX10 + Tyrosinase + MART-1 73/80 (91%)

These examples demonstrate the advantages of BC34 and perhaps show that BC34 has several advantages over known antibodies, including superior sensitivity or specificity, possibly resulting in cleaner staining patterns, with less background or undesirable cytoplasmic staining.

In some embodiments of the present invention, anti-SOX10 antibodies such as the mouse monoclonal anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 may be suitable for use in many variations of the above protocols and other methods known to those in the art. Specimens stained with BC34 may be archived using a permanent mounting media and a coverslip. The antibody BC34 may also be used in an automated staining instrument, using standard protocols. One can also envision the use of many alternative detection methods (e.g., fluorescence), detection enzymes (e.g., alkaline phosphatase (AP), beta-galactosidase, or the like), and perhaps even chromogens (e.g., 3-amino-9-ethylcarbazole, 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl phosphate, 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine, 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-β-D-glucuronide, or the like), generally known to those in the art.

An epitope of an anti-SOX10 antibody such as mouse monoclonal anti-SOX10 antibody BC34, or a portion thereof, may be a useful antigen for the production of new monoclonal antibodies, including production in species other than mouse (e.g. rabbit, goat, horse, chicken, etc.) as one skilled in the art would understand. In fact, the particular epitope of BC34 may be one of the features that contributes to its advantageous properties.

While the use of anti-SOX10 antibodies such as BC34 in immunohistochemistry of formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissues may be described here, its utility in other immunoassays may be readily envisioned and are meant to be included in this application. In particular, it may be well known that many of the same reagents used in IHC of FFPE may also be used in IHC of frozen-tissue sections. Anti-SOX10 antibodies such as BC34 may also be useful in other immunoassays, including ELISA, perhaps using generally known methods.

In another aspect of the invention, perhaps related to IHC, an anti-SOX10 antibody may be used in conjunction with one or more additional primary antibodies as part of a cocktail, to perform a “double-stain” procedure (also described as multi-stain or even multiplex). Such “double-stain” procedures may be generally well known in the art; however, the best combinations of primary antibodies for a particular diagnostic application may not be known.

In this method, anti-SOX10 antibodies such as a mouse monoclonal anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 could be combined with one or more antibodies in a single primary antibody cocktail, perhaps suitable for simultaneous application to a specimen. The antibodies may be derived from a mouse host or a rabbit host or the like. The antibodies may be monoclonal or polyclonal. In embodiments, an antibody cocktail may be used in a double-stain IHC procedure to produce two or more colored stains that may identify the presence or absence of target protein antigens in the tissue specimen. For example, in embodiments where an antibody cocktail may be comprised of mouse and rabbit antibodies, a detection system may include an anti-mouse antibody conjugated to horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and perhaps even an anti-rabbit antibody conjugated to alkaline phosphatase (AP) may be used to produce the two-color stain. 3,3′-diaminobenzidine (DAB) may be used to produce a brown stain, perhaps facilitated by HRP, and it may identify the presence or absence, and/or location, of mouse antibodies bound in the specimen; Fast Red may be used to produce a fuchsia/red stain, perhaps facilitated by AP, and it may identify the presence or absence, and/or location, of rabbit antibodies in the specimen. In other embodiments, a detection system may include an anti-mouse antibody conjugated to AP and an anti-rabbit antibody conjugated to HRP which may be used to produce a two-color stain that may identify the presence or absence, and/or location of the mouse antibodies with a red stain and the rabbit antibodies with a brown stain, perhaps when Fast Red and DAB may be used as chromogens. In some embodiments, an anti-mouse antibody conjugated to HRP and perhaps an anti-rabbit antibody conjugated to AP may be applied to the specimen as a cocktail, in a single solution, or they may be applied in separate, sequential steps.

The anti-mouse or anti-rabbit antibodies comprising the antibody-enzyme conjugates may be derived from a different host species, including, but not limited to mouse, rabbit, chicken, horse, rat, goat, sheep, or the like. A primary antibody may be from a variety of host species, including, but not limited to mouse, rabbit, chicken, horse, rat, goat, sheep, or the like. In embodiments, an antibody may include an antibody-enzyme conjugate and a primary antibody could be obtained from two different host species. Chromogens other than DAB and/or Fast Red may be used as well.

Multiple alternatives to a double-staining method are possible, including but not limited to the use of more than two antibodies, the use of species other than mouse and rabbit, other chromogens and detection systems, a different order of detection steps, and perhaps even modifications resulting in three or more colors (which may require a denaturing step).

In some embodiments, a single color stain may be used for a primary antibody cocktail. In one example, if the primary antibody cocktail is comprised of antibodies all derived from the same host species, then a single detection system may be used to stain for the presence of all of the antibodies with a single color. The presence or absence of each antibody may be determined based on cellular localization, or perhaps such determination is not necessary and the staining may be interpreted effectively without identifying the presence or absence of each antibody. For example, mouse monoclonal anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 may be combined with mouse monoclonal anti-MART1 in a primary antibody cocktail and used in an IHC procedure with anti-mouse conjugated HRP detection and DAB for visualization, to produce a brown stain. In another aspect, a primary antibody cocktail comprised of two or more antibodies from different host species may be used in a similar manner to produce a single color stain. For example, mouse monoclonal anti-SOX10 BC34 may be combined with rabbit polyclonal anti-S100 antibody and used in an IHC procedure with anti-mouse conjugated HRP and anti-rabbit conjugated HRP, and DAB for visualization, to produce a brown stain.

Certain steps of an IHC procedure may be performed sequentially or simultaneously, perhaps by using a cocktail of reagents, as known to those skilled in the art. For example, antibodies described in a primary antibody cocktail may alternatively be applied in sequential steps of one or more antibodies. Similarly, detection reagents may be applied simultaneously in reagent cocktail or separate reagents in sequential steps.

Antibodies that may be useful for diagnosis when combined with an anti-SOX10 antibody such as a mouse monoclonal anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 in a primary antibody cocktail for use in multi-stain procedures include:

Antibody Possible Staining Pattern Combination and (cellular localization, Possible Diagnostic (Host Species) stain color*) Utility SOX10 [BC34] SOX10 (Nuclear, SOX10 staining may be (Mouse) Brown) observed in melanoma; S100 (Rabbit) S100 (Cytoplasmic S100 staining may be and Nuclear, Red) observed in melanoma *The listed color of each stain may be a result of a detection system that may include an anti-mouse antibody perhaps conjugated to HRP and even an anti-rabbit antibody perhaps conjugated to AP, perhaps even with DAB and Fast Red as chromogens, which may result in brown staining for mouse antibodies and red staining for rabbit antibodies. Alternatively, the detection system may include an anti-mouse antibody perhaps conjugated to AP and even an anti-rabbit antibody perhaps conjugated to HRP, perhaps even with DAB and Fast Red as chromogens, which may result in red staining for mouse antibodies and brown staining for rabbit antibodies. Other color combinations may be obtained using other detection systems or chromogens and all are meant to be included in this disclosure.

In some embodiments, reagents may be applied sequentially in a fashion to produce a double stain, even perhaps when using antibodies from the same host species. For example, mouse monoclonal BC34 could be applied, followed by perhaps anti-mouse-HRP detection and DAB chromogen steps. After a denaturing step, perhaps using an acidic solution, a second mouse monoclonal antibody may be applied, perhaps a mouse monoclonal anti-nestin antibody or a mouse monoclonal anti-MART1 antibody, followed by perhaps anti-mouse-AP detection and Fast Red chromogen steps, to product a two color stain.

In some embodiments, a cocktail of antibodies derived from the same host species may be used, resulting in a single color stain. For example, a cocktail of mouse monoclonal SOX10 [BC34], mouse monoclonal Tyrosinase [T311], and mouse monoclonals MART-1 [M2-7C10] and [M2-9E3] may be applied and detected by anti-mouse-HRP and DAB, or perhaps anti-mouse-AP and Fast Red. Other embodiments may include an antibody cocktail of SOX10 and Tyrosinase, or perhaps SOX10 and MART-1. Mouse monoclonal SOX10 may also be combined with rabbit polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies of Tyrosinase or MART-1 in any of the combinations described above, perhaps even in a double stain procedure. Antibody cocktails of SOX10, Tyrosinase and/or MART-1 may be superior to other potential markers of melanoma, including perhaps 5100. SOX10, Tyrosinase and MART-1 may be more sensitive than 5100 in melanoma, perhaps because SOX10 may stain desmoplastic melanoma and spindle cell melanoma and S100 may not stain these types. SOX10, Tyrosinase and MART-1 may also be more specific than 5100, as they may not stain brain, lymph node or bone marrow, common sites for melanoma metastases, in the way that S100 does, perhaps aiding in the identification of micro-metastases in these sites. In certain embodiments, clones other than those used in the examples (including other clones of SOX10 other than BC34) may be suitable and perhaps interchangeable, or perhaps even superior to the clones used in the examples.

In many embodiments, antibodies that bind cytokeratin markers may be used in different combinations, and in some cases, interchangeably, as known to those skilled in the art. For example, CK5 may perhaps be interchangeable with CK5/6 or CK5/14. Similarly, HMWCK (high molecular weight cytokeratin) may be used interchangeably with CK5/6 or CK5/14.

In many cases, diagnosis may often be performed on limited tissue samples from cytology or a biopsy, and it may be important to conserve tissue for further molecular testing; therefore, an efficient approach to diagnosis that consumes minimal tissue, but provides optimal specificity and/or sensitivity may be preferred. A method that provides useful diagnostic information, while consuming minimal tissue from the specimen, perhaps by use of an antibody cocktail, or conceivably by the feature of improved sensitivity or specificity, may be preferred.

An anti-SOX10 antibody such as a mouse monoclonal anti-SOX10 antibody BC34 may be specific for detection of SOX10 and may be useful in immunohistochemical procedures for diagnosis of several types of cancers in human tissue samples. In particular, anti-SOX10 antibody such as BC34 may have advantages over the RP anti-SOX10 antibody, including but not limited to greater sensitivity, more intense staining, greater specificity and cleaner staining, with perhaps less background staining, as well as perhaps a lack of staining of carcinoids and perhaps a lack of staining of lung adenocarcinoma.

As but one example of an immunoassay method, embodiments of the present invention may provide obtaining tissue from an animal or human to be tested (6), fixing or freezing said tissue (7), treating said fixed or frozen tissue to unmask epitopes to SOX10 (8), contacting said treated tissue with an antibody or fragment thereof as discussed herein in an amount and under conditions such that an antibody or fragment thereof binds to a SOX10 protein if the protein is present in said tissue (9); and perhaps even detecting the presences of said bound antibodies (10), as schematically represented in FIG. 62.

FIG. 61 shows a schematic summary of various embodiments of the present invention including a kit (5) which may provide an antibody, fragment thereof, portion thereof, in a composition or even in a cocktail, perhaps even provided from a hybridoma, the antibody (1) or the like may be contacted with a biological sample (2) to form at least one antibody-antigen complex (3) which may then be detected with a detector (4).

The present invention may provide, in embodiments, a diagnostic or even prognostic test kit which may include an antibody or fragment thereof (as discussed herein) with an antibody detection element of the antibody or fragment thereof perhaps when bound to an antigen. This may provide a method of contacting a biological sample with an antibody or fragment thereof and even detecting binding of, or even the presence of the antibody or fragment thereof bound to a protein or with an antigen in the biological sample perhaps using an antibody detection element. Embodiments may provide an immunoassay method for detect a SOX10 protein in a mammal or human perhaps by obtaining a tissue from an animal or a human to be tested, contacting the tissue with an antibody or fragment thereof in accordance with the various embodiments presented herein perhaps in an amount and under conditions such that the antibody or fragment thereof may bind to a SOX10 protein if the protein is present in the tissue; and even detecting the presence of bound antibodies. A biological sample may include but is not limited to blood, urine, urothelial tissue, transitional cell tissue, bladder tissue, normal tissue, neoplastic tissue, kidney tissue, ovarian tissue, thyroid tissue, endometrial tissue, renal tissue, tonsil tissue, pancreas tissue, colon tissue, lymph node tissue, neoplastic pancreatic tissue, stomach tissue, prostate tissue, lung tissue, breast tissue, or the like perhaps depending on the antibody or even cocktail being used.

It is noted that use of terms such as SOX10, SOX10 antibody, BC34, or the like may relate to anti-SOX10 antibodies or the like as appropriate as one skilled in the art would understand. It is noted that the components of an antibody cocktail may be denoted with a “+”. (e.g. “MART-1+Tyrosinase” identifies a cocktail of MART-1 and Tyrosinase antibodies.) Also, in some cases an antibody reagent may include more than one antibody clone to the same target (e.g. MART-1 may include two anti-MART-1 mouse monoclonal antibodies, clone M2-7C10 and clone M2-9E3).

The article, “A Newly Developed Mouse Monoclonal SOX10 Antibody is a Highly Sensitive and Specific Marker for Malignant Melanoma, Including Spindle Cell and Desmoplastic Melanomas” by Tacha, David; Qi, Weiman; Bremer, Ryan; Yu Charlie; Hoang, Laura; Ra, Seong; and Robbins, Bruce. Biocare Medical, Concord, Calif., San Diego Pathologists Medical Group, San Diego, Calif., has been attached to this application and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

As can be easily understood from the foregoing, the basic concepts of the present invention may be embodied in a variety of ways. It involves both antibody techniques as well as devices to accomplish the appropriate antibody. In this application, the antibody techniques are disclosed as part of the results shown to be achieved by the various devices described and as steps which are inherent to utilization. They are simply the natural result of utilizing the devices as intended and described. In addition, while some devices are disclosed, it should be understood that these not only accomplish certain methods but also can be varied in a number of ways. Importantly, as to all of the foregoing, all of these facets should be understood to be encompassed by this disclosure.

The discussion included in this application is intended to serve as a basic description. The reader should be aware that the specific discussion may not explicitly describe all embodiments possible; many alternatives are implicit. It also may not fully explain the generic nature of the invention and may not explicitly show how each feature or element can actually be representative of a broader function or of a great variety of alternative or equivalent elements. Again, these are implicitly included in this disclosure. Where the invention is described in device-oriented terminology, each element of the device implicitly performs a function. Apparatus claims may not only be included for the device described, but also method or process claims may be included to address the functions the invention and each element performs. Neither the description nor the terminology is intended to limit the scope of the claims that will be included in any subsequent patent application.

It should also be understood that a variety of changes may be made without departing from the essence of the invention. Such changes are also implicitly included in the description. They still fall within the scope of this invention. A broad disclosure encompassing the explicit embodiment(s) shown, the great variety of implicit alternative embodiments, and the broad methods or processes and the like are encompassed by this disclosure and may be relied upon when drafting the claims for any subsequent patent application. It should be understood that such language changes and broader or more detailed claiming may be accomplished at a later date (such as by any required deadline) or in the event the applicant subsequently seeks a patent filing based on this filing. With this understanding, the reader should be aware that this disclosure is to be understood to support any subsequently filed patent application that may seek examination of as broad a base of claims as deemed within the applicant's right and may be designed to yield a patent covering numerous aspects of the invention both independently and as an overall system.

Further, each of the various elements of the invention and claims may also be achieved in a variety of manners. Additionally, when used or implied, an element is to be understood as encompassing individual as well as plural structures that may or may not be physically connected. This disclosure should be understood to encompass each such variation, be it a variation of an embodiment of any apparatus embodiment, a method or process embodiment, or even merely a variation of any element of these. Particularly, it should be understood that as the disclosure relates to elements of the invention, the words for each element may be expressed by equivalent apparatus terms or method terms—even if only the function or result is the same. Such equivalent, broader, or even more generic terms should be considered to be encompassed in the description of each element or action. Such terms can be substituted where desired to make explicit the implicitly broad coverage to which this invention is entitled. As but one example, it should be understood that all actions may be expressed as a means for taking that action or as an element which causes that action. Similarly, each physical element disclosed should be understood to encompass a disclosure of the action which that physical element facilitates. Regarding this last aspect, as but one example, the disclosure of a “detection” or “detector” should be understood to encompass disclosure of the act of “detecting”—whether explicitly discussed or not—and, conversely, were there effectively disclosure of the act of “detecting”, such a disclosure should be understood to encompass disclosure of a “detector” and even a “means for detecting.” Such changes and alternative terms are to be understood to be explicitly included in the description. Further, each such means (whether explicitly so described or not) should be understood as encompassing all elements that can perform the given function, and all descriptions of elements that perform a described function should be understood as a non-limiting example of means for performing that function.

Any law, statutes, regulations, or rules mentioned in this application for patent; or patents, publications, or other references mentioned in this application for patent are hereby incorporated by reference. Any priority case(s) claimed by this application is hereby appended and hereby incorporated by reference. In addition, as to each term used it should be understood that unless its utilization in this application is inconsistent with a broadly supporting interpretation, common dictionary definitions should be understood as incorporated for each term and all definitions, alternative terms, and synonyms such as contained in the Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, second edition are hereby incorporated by reference. Finally, all references listed in the list below or other information statement filed with the application are hereby appended and hereby incorporated by reference, however, as to each of the above, to the extent that such information or statements incorporated by reference might be considered inconsistent with the patenting of this/these invention(s) such statements are expressly not to be considered as made by the applicant(s).

I. U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

Name of Patentee or Applicant Patent Number Kind Code Issue Date of cited Document 7,468,425 B2 2008 Dec. 23 Sidransky, et al. 6,946,256 B1 2005 Sep. 20 McKeon, et al.

II. FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS

Foreign Document Country Kind Publication Number Code Code Date Name 2012154983 WO A2 2012 Nov. 15 Biocare Medical, LLC

III. NON-PATENT LITERATURE DOCUMENTS

“SOX10 expression in malignant melanoma, carcinoma, and normal tissues.” Mohamed A, Gonzalez R S, Lawson D, Wang J, Cohen C. Appl Immunohistochem Mol Morphol. 2012; Ahead of Epub “The SOX10/Sox10 gene from human and mouse: sequence, expression, and transactivation by the encoded HMG domain transcription factor.” Pusch C, Hustert E, Pfeifer D, et. al. Hum Genet. 1998; 103: 115-123 “The importance of having your SOX on: role of SOX10 in the development of neural crest-derived melanocytes and glia.” Mollaaghababa R, Pavan W J. Oncogene. 2003; 22: 3024-3034 “Expression of the SOX10 gene during human development.” Bondurand N, Kobetz A, Pingault V, et. al. FEBS Lett. 1998; 432: 168-172 “Oligodendroglial-specific transcriptional factor SOX10 is ubiquitously expressed in human gliomas.” Bannykh S I, Stolt C C, Kim J, Perry A, Wegner M. J Neurooncol. 2006 January; 76(2): 115-27 “The transcription factor Sox10 is a key regulator of peripheral glial development.” Britsch S, Goerich D E, Riethmacher D, et. al. Genes Dev. 2001; 15: 66-78 “Oligodendroglial-specific transcriptional factor SOX10 is ubiquitously expressed in human gliomas.” Bannykh SI, Stolt C C, Kim J, Perry A, Wegner M. J Neurooncol. 2006 January; 76(2): 115-27 “Incidence and survival of desmoplastic melanoma in the United States, 1992-2007.” Feng Z, Wu X, Chen V, et. al. J Cutan Pathol. 2011; 38: 616-624 Desmoplastic malignant melanoma.” Conley J, Lattes R, Orr W. Cancer. 1971; 28: 914- 916 “Desmoplasia and neurotropism. Prognostic variables in patients with stage I melanoma.” Baer S C, Schultz D, Synnestvedt M, et. al. Cancer. 1995; 76: 2242-2247 “Subclassification of desmoplastic melanoma: pure and mixed variants have significantly different capacities for lymph node metastasis.” George E, McClain S E, Slingluff C L, et. al. J Cutan Pathol. 2009; 36: 425-432 “SOX10 expression distinguishes desmoplastic melanoma from its histologic mimics.” Palla B, Su A, Binder S, Dry S. Am J Dermatopathol. 2013 July; 35(5): 576-81 “Sox10 is expressed in primary melanocytic neoplasms of various histologies, but not in fibrohistiocytic proliferations and histiocytoses.” Shin J, Vincent J G, Cuda J D, et. al. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2012 October; 67(4): 717-26 “MCW melanoma cocktail for the evaluation of micrometastases in sentinel lymph nodes of cutaneous melanoma.” Shidham V B, Chang C C. Expert Rev Mol Diagn. 2005 May; 5(3): 281-90 “Microphthalmia transcription factor in the immunohistochemical diagnosis of metastatic melanoma: comparison with four other melanoma markers.” Miettinen M, Fernandez M, Franssila K, et al. Am J Surg Pathol. 2001 February; 25(2): 205-11 “Sox10: a pan-schwannian and melanocytic marker.” Nonaka D, Chiriboga L, Rubin B P. Am J Surg Pathol. 2008; 32: 1291-1298 “Neural crest transcription factor Sox10 is preferentially expressed in triple-negative and metaplastic breast carcinomas.” Cimino-Mathews A, Subhawong A P, Elwood H, et. al. Hum Pathol. 2013 June; 44(6): 959-65 “Sox10-positive sustentacular cells in neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung.” Tsuta K, Raso M G, Kalhor N, et. al. Histopathology. 2011 January; 58(2): 276-85 “SOX10 and S100 in the diagnosis of soft-tissue neoplasms.” Karamchandani J R, Nielsen T O, van de Rijn M, West R B. Appl Immunohistochem Mol Morphol. 2012 October; 20(5): 445- 50 U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/706,312 filed Sep. 27, 2012; entitled Systems and Methods for Anti-Uroplakin II Antibodies U.S. Nonprovisional Application No. 13/830,473 filed Mar. 14, 2013; entitled Systems and Methods for Anti-Uroplakin III Antibodies International Application Number PCT/US2013/062043m filed Sep. 26, 2013; Entitled Anti- Uroplakin II Antibodies Systems and Methods Nonaka D, Chiriboga L, Rubin B P. Sox10: a pan-schwannian and melanocytic marker. Am J Surg Pathol. 2008; 32: 1291-1298 Karamchandani J R, et. al. SOX10 and S100 in the diagnosis of soft-tissue neoplasms. Appl Immunohistochem Mol Morphol. 2012 October; 20(5): 445-50 Buonaccorsi J N, Prieto V G, Torres-Cabala C, Suster S, Plaza J A. Diagnostic Utility and Comparative Immunohistochemical Analysis of MITF-1 and SOX10 to Distinguish Melanoma In Situ and Actinic Keratosis: A Clinicopathological and Immunohistochemical Study of 70 Cases. Am J Dermatopathol. 2013 Jun. 18. [Epub ahead of print] Agnarsdottir M, Sooman L, Bolander A, et. al. SOX10 expression in superficial spreading and nodular malignant melanomas. Melanoma Res. 2010 December; 20(6): 468-78 Seong I, Min H J, Lee J H, et. al. Sox10 controls migration of B16F10 melanoma cells through multiple regulatory target genes. PLoS One. 2012 ;7(2) Ramos-Herberth F I, Karamchandani J, Kim J, Dadras S S. SOX10 immunostaining distinguishes desmoplastic melanoma from excision scar. J Cutan Pathol. 2010 September; 37(9): 944-52 Ivanov S V, Panaccione A, Nonaka D, et. al. Diagnostic SOX10 gene signatures in salivary adenoid cystic and breast basal-like carcinomas. Br J Cancer. 2013 Jul 23; 109(2): 444-51 U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/886,448 filed Oct. 3, 2013; entitled Systems and Methods for Anti-SOX10 Antibodies U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/941,907 filed Feb. 19, 2014; entitled Systems and Methods for Anti-SOX10 Antibodies Shidham, et al., MCW melanoma cocktail for the evaluation of micrometastases in sentinel lymph nodes of cutaneous melanoma; expert Rev Mol Diagn. 2005 May; 5(3): 281-90 Miettinin M, Fernandez M, Franssila K, et al. Am J Surge Pathol. 2001 February; 25(2): 205-11; Microphthalmia transcription factor in the immunohistochemical diagnosis of metastatic melanoma: comparison with four other melanoma markers

Thus, the applicant(s) should be understood to have support to claim and make a statement of invention to at least: i) each of the antibody devices as herein disclosed and described, ii) the related methods disclosed and described, iii) similar, equivalent, and even implicit variations of each of these devices and methods, iv) those alternative designs which accomplish each of the functions shown as are disclosed and described, v) those alternative designs and methods which accomplish each of the functions shown as are implicit to accomplish that which is disclosed and described, vi) each feature, component, and step shown as separate and independent inventions, vii) the applications enhanced by the various systems or components disclosed, viii) the resulting products produced by such systems or components, ix) each system, method, and element shown or described as now applied to any specific field or devices mentioned, x) methods and apparatuses substantially as described hereinbefore and with reference to any of the accompanying examples, xi) an apparatus for performing the methods described herein comprising means for performing the steps, xii) the various combinations and permutations of each of the elements disclosed, xiii) each potentially dependent claim or concept as a dependency on each and every one of the independent claims or concepts presented, and xiv) all inventions described herein.

With regard to claims whether now or later presented for examination, it should be understood that for practical reasons and so as to avoid great expansion of the examination burden, the applicant may at any time present only initial claims or perhaps only initial claims with only initial dependencies. The office and any third persons interested in potential scope of this or subsequent applications should understand that broader claims may be presented at a later date in this case, in a case claiming the benefit of this case, or in any continuation in spite of any preliminary amendments, other amendments, claim language, or arguments presented, thus throughout the pendency of any case there is no intention to disclaim or surrender any potential subject matter. It should be understood that if or when broader claims are presented, such may require that any relevant prior art that may have been considered at any prior time may need to be re-visited since it is possible that to the extent any amendments, claim language, or arguments presented in this or any subsequent application are considered as made to avoid such prior art, such reasons may be eliminated by later presented claims or the like. Both the examiner and any person otherwise interested in existing or later potential coverage, or considering if there has at any time been any possibility of an indication of disclaimer or surrender of potential coverage, should be aware that no such surrender or disclaimer is ever intended or ever exists in this or any subsequent application. Limitations such as arose in Hakim v. Cannon Avent Group, PLC, 479 F.3d 1313 (Fed. Cir 2007), or the like are expressly not intended in this or any subsequent related matter. In addition, support should be understood to exist to the degree required under new matter laws—including but not limited to European Patent Convention Article 123(2) and United States Patent Law 35 USC 132 or other such laws—to permit the addition of any of the various dependencies or other elements presented under one independent claim or concept as dependencies or elements under any other independent claim or concept. In drafting any claims at any time whether in this application or in any subsequent application, it should also be understood that the applicant has intended to capture as full and broad a scope of coverage as legally available. To the extent that insubstantial substitutes are made, to the extent that the applicant did not in fact draft any claim so as to literally encompass any particular embodiment, and to the extent otherwise applicable, the applicant should not be understood to have in any way intended to or actually relinquished such coverage as the applicant simply may not have been able to anticipate all eventualities; one skilled in the art, should not be reasonably expected to have drafted a claim that would have literally encompassed such alternative embodiments.

Further, if or when used, the use of the transitional phrase “comprising” is used to maintain the “open-end” claims herein, according to traditional claim interpretation. Thus, unless the context requires otherwise, it should be understood that the term “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, are intended to imply the inclusion of a stated element or step or group of elements or steps but not the exclusion of any other element or step or group of elements or steps. Such terms should be interpreted in their most expansive form so as to afford the applicant the broadest coverage legally permissible. The use of the phrase, “or any other claim” is used to provide support for any claim to be dependent on any other claim, such as another dependent claim, another independent claim, a previously listed claim, a subsequently listed claim, and the like. As one clarifying example, if a claim were dependent “on claim 20 or any other claim” or the like, it could be re-drafted as dependent on claim 1, claim 15, or even claim 25 (if such were to exist) if desired and still fall with the disclosure. It should be understood that this phrase also provides support for any combination of elements in the claims and even incorporates any desired proper antecedent basis for certain claim combinations such as with combinations of method, apparatus, process, and the like claims.

Finally, any claims set forth at any time are hereby incorporated by reference as part of this description of the invention, and the applicant expressly reserves the right to use all of or a portion of such incorporated content of such claims as additional description to support any of or all of the claims or any element or component thereof, and the applicant further expressly reserves the right to move any portion of or all of the incorporated content of such claims or any element or component thereof from the description into the claims or vice-versa as necessary to define the matter for which protection is sought by this application or by any subsequent continuation, division, or continuation-in-part application thereof, or to obtain any benefit of, reduction in fees pursuant to, or to comply with the patent laws, rules, or regulations of any country or treaty, and such content incorporated by reference shall survive during the entire pendency of this application including any subsequent continuation, division, or continuation-in-part application thereof or any reissue or extension thereon. 

1. An isolated preparation of antibodies which specifically bind to a SOX10 protein wherein said antibodies bind to an epitope in peptide SEQ ID NO:
 3. 2. (canceled)
 3. An isolated preparation of antibodies which specifically bind to an epitope in peptide SEQ ID NO:
 3. 4. An isolated preparation of antibodies according to claim 1 wherein said antibodies are monoclonal.
 5. An isolated preparation of antibodies according to claim 1 wherein said antibodies are polyclonal.
 6. An antibody or fragment thereof produced by the hybridoma deposited with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) under ATCC Patent Deposit Designation No. PTA-120969. 7-8. (canceled)
 9. A method for producing a monoclonal antibody according to claim 1 comprising the steps of: culturing said hybridoma which produces a monoclonal antibody capable of specifically recognizing SOX10; and allowing said hybridoma to produce the monoclonal antibody. 10-11. (canceled)
 12. An isolated preparation of antibodies according to claim 1 wherein said antibodies comprise a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence encoded by the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 and a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence encoded by the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 1. 13. An isolated preparation of antibodies according to claim 1 wherein said antibodies comprise a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5 and a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 4. 14-21. (canceled)
 22. An isolated preparation of antibodies according to claim 1 wherein said antibodies comprise a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence selected from a group consisting SEQ ID NO. 9, SEQ ID NO. 10, SEQ ID NO. 11, and any combination thereof.
 23. An isolated preparation of antibodies according to claim 1 wherein said antibodies comprise a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence selected from a group consisting SEQ ID NO. 6, SEQ ID NO. 7, SEQ ID NO. 8, and any combination thereof. 24-28. (canceled)
 29. A composition comprising at least two antibodies or fragments thereof, wherein at least one of said at least two antibodies or fragments thereof comprises said anti-SOX10 antibodies according to claim 1 which binds specifically to SOX10.
 30. A composition according to claim 29 wherein said anti-SOX10 comprise the SOX10 antibodies. 31-42. (canceled)
 43. A composition according to claim 29 wherein said composition comprises a primary antibody cocktail.
 44. A composition according to claim 30 wherein said at least two antibodies or fragments thereof are derived from at least two different species.
 45. A composition according to claim 44 wherein said at least two different species is selected from a group consisting of mouse, rabbit, goat, horse, chicken, human, and any combination thereof.
 46. A composition according to claim 29 wherein said at least two antibodies or fragments thereof comprises a double-stain procedure.
 47. A composition according to claim 29 wherein said at least two antibodies or fragments thereof are capable of providing different visualization results.
 48. A composition according to claim 47 wherein said visualization results comprises color results.
 49. A composition according to claim 29 wherein said at least one other of said at least two antibodies or fragments thereof binds specifically to a protein selected from a group consisting of Tyrosinase, MART-1, S100, and any combination thereof.
 50. A composition according to claim 29 wherein said at least one other of said at least two antibodies or fragments thereof are selected from a group consisting of: Tyrosinase antibody, MART-1 antibodies, Tyrosinase antibody [T311], MART-1 antibody [M2-7C10], MART-1 antibody [M2-9E3], and any combination thereof.
 51. A composition according to claim 29 wherein said composition comprises a detection composition selected from a group consisting of melanoma detection, nevi detection, breast cancer detection, rhabdomyosarcoma detection, leiomyosarcoma detection, schwannomas detection, desmoplastic melanoma detection, spindle cell melanoma detection, and any combination thereof. 52-55. (canceled)
 56. An antibody according to claim 4 wherein said monoclonal antibody is selected from a group consisting of a mouse monoclonal antibody, a rabbit monoclonal antibody, a goat monoclonal antibody, a horse monoclonal antibody, a chicken monoclonal antibody, a humanized monoclonal antibody, a chimeric antibody, and any combination thereof.
 57. (canceled)
 58. An antibody according to claim 5 wherein said polyclonal antibody is selected from a group consisting of rabbit polyclonal antibody, mouse polyclonal antibody, a goat polyclonal antibody, a horse polyclonal antibody, a chicken polyclonal antibody, a humanized polyclonal antibody, and any combination thereof. 59-60. (canceled)
 61. An antibody according to claim 29 and further comprising a label attached to at least one of said at least two antibodies or fragments thereof.
 62. (canceled)
 63. An antibody according to claim 61 wherein said label is selected from a group consisting of a radioactive element, magnetic particles, radioisotope, fluorescent dye, enzyme, toxin, signal, stain, detection enzymes, horseradish peroxidase (HRP), alkaline phosphatase (AP), beta-galactosidase, chromogens, Fast Red, 3,3′-diaminobenzidine, 3-amino-9-ethylcarbazole, 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl phosphate, 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine, 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-β-D-glucuronide, and any combination thereof. 64-67. (canceled)
 68. Use of the antibody or fragment thereof according to claim 1 wherein said use is selected from a group consisting of: use to detect cancer, use to diagnose or prognose cancer, use to predict outcome of treatment of cancer, use to assess efficacy of treatment of cancer, and use to predict recurrence of cancer. 69-76. (canceled)
 77. A method for detecting a protein to which an antibody or fragment thereof of claim 1 binds to a biological sample, comprising the steps of contacting a biological sample with the antibody or fragment thereof; and detecting the presence of the antibody or fragment thereof bound to the protein in the biological sample.
 78. A method according to claim 77 wherein said biological sample comprises lung tissue, bladder tissue, breast tissue, and prostate tissue.
 79. A method according to claim 77 wherein said biological sample is selected from a group consisting of a normal tissue, neoplastic tissue, bladder tissue, kidney tissue, ovarian tissue, thyroid tissue, endometrial tissue, renal tissue, tonsil tissue, pancreas tissue, colon tissue, lymph node tissue, neoplastic pancreatic tissue, stomach tissue, prostate tissue, lung tissue, skin tissue, and breast tissue.
 80. A method according to claim 77 wherein said detecting said presence of the antibody or fragment thereof bound to the protein is performed on an automated staining device.
 81. A method according to claim 77 wherein said detecting said presence of the antibody or fragment thereof bound to the protein corn rises detecting selected from a group consisting of: manually detecting; automatically detecting, and image analysis. 82-83. (canceled)
 84. A method according to claim 77 wherein said detecting comprises a method selected from a group consisting of immunohistochemistry (IHC), IHC of FFPE, IHC of frozen-tissue sections, immunocytochemistry, and ELISA. 85-107. (canceled)
 108. An immunoassay method for detecting SOX10 protein in an animal or human according to claim 77 and further comprising the steps of fixing or freezing said biological sample, and treating said fixed or frozen tissue to unmask epitopes to SOX10. 109-112. (canceled) 